Three storms trigger cleanup across North America coasts

Three major storms left communities across North America dealing with deaths, flooding and widespread damage after Hurricane Isaias struck Florida and Alabama, Hurricane Simon affected Mexico’s Pacific coast, and Tropical Storm Rachel brought flooding across the Southwest.

According to NBC News, Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, as a Category 2 storm and forced evacuations in the Florida Panhandle and parts of Alabama. At least four people died after the storm, including victims linked to falling trees, a generator incident and a vehicle crash.

NBC News reported that Jennifer Williams was killed when a tree fell into her Pensacola home. The storm also caused severe structural damage, including a hotel roof being torn away by strong winds and a tree crashing through another home.

Utility crews worked to restore electricity for hundreds of thousands of residents in Florida and Alabama after Isaias passed through the region. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said power restoration was expected at some point Monday, while also warning about possible river flooding in coming days.

Many areas affected by Isaias remained under boil-water advisories as the storm continued north. According to NBC News, the system produced heavy rain across the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic, with North Carolina reporting major flooding and landslides.

At least 22 tornadoes were reported along the East Coast as Isaias moved north, according to NBC News. The storm’s remnants were leaving New England and moving out to sea Monday, with most rainfall moving away from the region.

Hurricane Simon affected Mexico’s western coastline while remaining offshore, according to NBC News. The Category 3 storm produced maximum sustained winds of 120 mph near Puerto Vallarta and brought up to 8 inches of rain in some areas.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Simon was moving parallel to Mexico’s western coast and was expected to make landfall before weakening inland. Hurricane warnings covered areas from Playa Perula to El Roblito and Las Islas Marias.

Tropical moisture from Simon was expected to reach the central United States later in the week, with NBC News reporting rainfall forecasts of 1 to 3 inches and locally up to 6 inches.

Meanwhile, the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel continued producing rain and flooding in the Southwest. NBC News reported that Las Vegas received more than an inch of rain, breaking the daily record for Oct. 11 set in 2012.

Flood watches and warnings remained active across parts of Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Idaho, where NBC News reported some areas could receive up to 3 inches of rain. Southern California also faced coastal flooding risks from high tides and surf.